Chapter 4! Sorry the last one was a little slow, I'll try to keep to my schedule of one a day from now on. What are Ruffnut and Tuffnut going to do against a Berserker hoard? Well, you'll have to wait a bit to find out!
IMPORTANT: For explanations of where I have been and why I have been AWOL, please go and read the note on my profile.
Hiccupisnotuseless: Thanks again! In answer to your questions, does the start of this chapter not answer your first? As for the second, I didn't read the Tuffnut chapter, but I've read the others and they're very good!
Auralee Grayson: Sorry about the slow updates. I have given myself a good talking to an will strive to do better!
Guest: I've told you many times (though you may have missed it) that I post my next update times on my profile. Go have a look!
Pumpkin Kuro: Yes! He is! Lucky him. An yes, they are awesome, so there will be awesomeness to come in the next chapters
The door slammed back on its hinges, shedding light on the interior of the otherwise pitch black hall. It was vast, a cavernous expanse cut straight into the rock of the mountain, its ceiling still covered in pick marks and its walls intricately carved with images of Vikings and dragons. Along the back wall, just behind a huge wooden throne, there was a mural much newer than all the others. It was a man with a huge, bushy beard, kindly eyes hidden within the brave snarl on his face as he swung his mighty sword one last time, not at a dragon, as in most of the carvings, but at a hulking figure of a man with one arm. Behind them, dragon armies raged and fought, with two enormous dragons, Bewilderbeasts, locked in a mortal combat at their head. The carving was magnificent, but half was hidden by the bulky wooden chair before it.
If Dagur could have his way, tapestries of his glorious conquer of Berk would be hung over the face of that ugly carving. As it was, the maids of his village were still working on it back in his homeland. For the moment, he just had his back to Stoick the Vast, the only man he could never defeat. How glad he was the once great chief was now dead. His cruel eyes met the sight of one his soldiers with obvious hatred as he left the door swinging behind him. When a young man came blustering in at top speed as this one had, he knew those idiots had done something wrong again.
"Your Derangedness, sir..." The man fell to his knees before his leader, huffing deeply, putting his forehead to the floor in deep respect.
"Yes, what is it?" Dagur shouted, his chin on his hand, bored.
"A prisoner, sir... he... well, he escaped, sir..." He stuttered, not daring to look at the thunder crawling into Dagur's expression.
"What?! How?" He snarled, leaping to his feet, his voice cracking in fury.
"Sir, he can be captured quite easily if you would be gracious enough to let us have use of the Skrill..."
"No! My Skrill is resting, and you will not disturb him!" Dagur snarled, staring his soldier down until the man was practically cowering before him.
"Then... sir... what should we do?"
"Take all the forces, the cavalry, everything. I don't care what you use, just don't touch my Skrill." With a broad wave of his hand, he span about and sat down once again on his throne, silent and dangerous, smouldering with anger as the other man skittered away, out into the weak sunlight.
Tuffnut tugged at the arrow, in a frenzy of panic and fear. Blood pumped through his veins as he watched the soldiers thundering closer and closer. He could feel the rumble of their boots growing beneath him. With no other choice, he abandoned his yak-leather jacket, slipping it hurriedly over his shoulders, and dashed away with much haste.
Through the forest, he galloped, trying to stay one step ahead of those following him. He was quick and light on his feet, though was prone to stumbling over the slightest things. He looked over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of glimmering metal armour. Shouts and cries echoed through the twisted, scorched trees, the smell of ash kicked up by their heavy boots laced the air.
As he turned back, he realised, too late, that the land here suddenly dipped down. He tripped and fell, crashing down the muddy slope, rocks digging into his ribs, his body crashing into trees and boulders as he tumbled in circles down the drop. As he finally came to a rest at the bottom, he took a shaky breath, waiting for the sharp pain to die down so that he could move again. However, he thought to himself, at least this might get the soldiers off his tail. He didn't stop, though. He struggled to his feet, heaving for breath still, and cast a weary look behind him.
As he watched the Berserkers clamouring at the top, unsure as to how to continue, he snorted and chuckled. Though he knew they wouldn't go any further, he still felt the need to put as much distance between himself and them. Turning, he slowly strode away, hands on his hips, taking great gulps of air. He wouldn't have run if it wasn't for the arrows that chased him away into the forest.
Finally, he reached an edge. It looked out across the forest, the sea of leaves untainted by the horror of the fires. He smiled at the carpet of pinks, oranges, browns and greens, constantly moving, constantly changing. Above it all, in the soft pink of dawn, he spotted a dragon soaring above the trees. It was one he'd seen before, a long time ago, but not a very common one. His brow creased as it came closer. As long as it wasn't the Skrill, he knew he wasn't in danger. However, it did seem to be heading right for him.
There was a shriek in the distance, far off behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled uncomfortably. It was an animal sound, but not from any dragon or creature he'd ever encountered before. The ground trembled beneath his feet with the pounding sound of a hundred mighty hooves. His heart missed a beat.
"Tuffnut!" A voice came crying on the wind. He jumped, staring about, searching for the source. His eyes caught on the dragon still approaching. He knew that dragon, that voice, even the little figure on its back, waving her hand wildly.
"Ruffnut!" He cried out joyously, throwing his arms above his head. The young man was finally saved. He breathed a sigh of relief. The pounding was becoming louder. The smirk of elation dropped off his face as he span around. There, in the forest, dark shapes galloped towards him at speed, their feet thudding loudly on the hard-packed earth. The twin took a step back, suddenly feeling slightly sick as this unknown army raced towards him.
Scauldy was right above him now, and Ruffnut was peering through the trees at the odd creatures that had transfixed her brother on the ground. She saw flashes of colour, greys, blacks and browns, each with a streak upon their back: a human rider. She tapped the Scauldron, urging him closer to the ground.
"Tuffnut!" She yelled, "Grab my hand!" Her brother span about and reached up as high as he could, but she was too far away. Taking his fate into his own hands, he made a mad dash for the edge of the drop, leaping off with hands outstretched, trying to grab the dragon as it came level with the top. However, he gravely misjudged the distance, missing Scauldy by inches, fingers brushing those of his sister, and plummeting down and down, to the floor far below.
Ruffnut clapped a hand to her forehead in dismay. Of all the stupid things her idiot brother had done, this was by far the stupidest. She peered back into the cover of the trees as her brother groaned, sprawled on the floor below her, trying to catch another glimpse of one of the creatures. Suddenly, they both saw them in the daylight. One came thundering on to the ledge, skidding to a halt with a whinny, skipping and hopping on its spindly legs. It was of chestnut brown colour, with bright, shining fur and a long mane of black hair running the length of its thick neck. It's tail was the same colour, hairs longer than Valka's braids (which were rather impressive) swishing as though they were controlled by something beneath. Its wide, black, intelligent eyes and fat, quivering lips intriguing the dragon rider.
More of the beasts skittered to a halt at the drop, too scared to leap down it. Some kicked out with their hind legs, others rearing up and striking out with their fronts, before a commander gave an unheard order to go around. They would find some other way down to pick up the man still struggling to his feet below. The harrowing thought suddenly struck Ruffnut: she had to get down to her brother before they did.
I did it! Technically, this is before midnight, so I'm still on schedule! Sorry about the wait again, I will upload every two days from now on so that you're not left waiting (or rather, I'm not missing the deadline and annoying you). Anywho, New chapter! What happens next? Find out in two days time.